Rory McIlroy boosted his prospects at the European Tour’s flagship PGA Championship with a strong second-round performance on Friday, moving closer to the leader at Wentworth Golf Club, located southwest of London. McIlroy carded a five-under 67 in the second round, positioning himself four strokes behind the overnight leader, Ryan Gerard of the United States.

After struggling late in his opening round with three bogeys in his final six holes, McIlroy improved markedly on day two. The Northern Irishman, one of only six golfers to have won all four major championships, began his round with three birdies in the first five holes. The 37-year-old, who currently ranks second in the Official World Golf Ranking and is the reigning U.S. Masters champion, is chasing his eighth Race to Dubai title—a record-equalling achievement that would mark him as the best player on the European Tour this season.

McIlroy encountered a setback at the par-four eighth hole, dropping a shot before the turn with an outward nine of 33. However, he recovered swiftly, sinking a 16-foot birdie putt at the 11th hole. Birdie at the par-three 14th followed, offset by a bogey on the 16th. On the 17th, McIlroy narrowly missed an eagle but tapped in for a birdie, then closed the round with another birdie on the 18th, completing a well-rounded 67.

Meanwhile, Patrick Reed, McIlroy’s main competitor in the Race to Dubai standings, withdrew during his second round due to injury. Reed had been nine over for the tournament before retiring from play. The American’s exit opened up an opportunity for McIlroy to reduce the gap in the season-long race.

“Unfortunately, he’s pulled out this week, which gives me an opportunity to try to claw back some ground that I lost last week in Ireland,” McIlroy said. “This weekend is a big weekend for me to pick up a few points and make the race even tighter going into these last few weeks.”

Ryan Gerard, who began the day at five under, took control of the leaderboard with a spectacular second-round 65. The American made a pivotal eagle on the 17th hole from 20 feet and finished with a birdie, moving three shots clear of McIlroy. Gerard’s strong showing positions him as the player to beat heading into the weekend at Wentworth.